Learnings on Co-Teaching

Collaboration needs to be done with purpose and with an awareness of the needs of the classroom.

With that in mind, I needed to think about:

• what are we planning for?

• Are we planning to implement a curriculum or to meet the needs of learners? or BOTH?

Cory gave me a copy of Randy Cranston and Faye Brownlie's article: Beyond Inclusion: A Mindset, An Attitude, A Repertoire of Strategies for Collaboration and Co-Teaching. When talking with Cory and Larissa, they suggested that Josie and I fill out a Strengths, Stretches, Goals and Needs chart.

Josie, Larissa and I sat down and asked our selves the following questions:

• What are the strengths of the class?

• What are your concerns about the class as a whole?

• What are your main goals for the class this year?

• What are the individual needs in your class?

Questions and Wonderings:

1. How will we work together to support the needs of the students in your class?

Modified programming for Johnny

Resources for differentiation and assessment for learning

2. What challenges do you have in teaching your curriculum to this diverse group of students?

Josie: Flexibility. The shift from mainstream “this is what I am teaching” to teaching to every student in a way that works for them.

Jenny- The physical space of the small classroom.

3. What strategies do you currently use to address diversity in your class?

Multi-media

10 minute activities that are easily adaptable

Student Benefits:

-Diverse student needs are addressed by creating ongoing effective programming in the classroom.

- Critical planing and reflective practices by teachers will better student learning.

- Increase in participation and indenpendance of all students.

- All learners thrive in a community oriented classroom.